April 18, 2009

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photo Gallery

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Freshman Kathy McLaughlin launched a game-winning double to left center field to cap a nine-inning thriller and highlight a pair of 4-3 come-from-behind victories by the University of Maryland softball team over Boston College Saturday afternoon in Robert E. Taylor Stadium.

With two on and one out in the Terps' half of the ninth during Saturday's first game, McLaughlin's walk-off hit scored senior Devon Williams from second base, prompting a celebration at home plate. That two-bagger enabled Maryland to extend its extra-inning win streak to seven games dating back to 2007. The team needed only the customary seven innings to dispose of the Eagles in the nightcap of the double dip.

Senior Sarah Dooley and sophomore Kerry Hickey both turned in strong outings on the mound to notch their 11th and 10th victories of the season, respectively. McLaughlin collected four hits during the doubleheader, and senior Breanna Shaw tallied three RBIs and her third home run of the season. Williams added three hits and three runs, crossing home plate in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings during Saturday's first game, in addition to scoring the game-winner.

By sweeping Saturday's doubleheader with Boston College, Maryland (22-20, 7-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) evened its conference record and moved into a tie with Virginia Tech for fourth place in the ACC standings. The Terps also equaled their conference win total from a year ago.

"We did not have our best day, yet we were still able to pull out a pair of hard-earned conference victories," head coach Laura Watten said. "That really speaks to the determination and mental toughness of our team."

During Saturday's first contest, Hickey (10-7) pitched her third complete game in as many starts, going all nine innings - the longest outing by a Terp since former Maryland pitcher Meredith Nelles also went nine frames against Florida State on March 31, 2007. The right-hander from Huntingtown, Md., allowed just three earned runs on seven hits.

Hickey recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts versus the Eagles, which marks the most in a single game by a member of the Terrapins since Nelles and fellow pitcher Crystal Crews punched out the same total during the 2006 season.

Trailing 1-0 in the third inning, the Terps found the scoreboard thanks to Shaw, who belted a two-run homer to straightaway center field. The blast scored McLaughlin, who led off the inning with a basehit.

After Boston College (15-26, 1-10 ACC) plated two more runs in its half of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead, Maryland rallied yet again during its final at-bat of regulation. Junior Alex Schultz, Williams and sophomore Niki Lau led off the inning with consecutive infield singles, and Williams ultimately scored on a wild pitch to force extra innings.

Saturday's second game saw Dooley (11-7) pitch six strong innings, allowing three runs, all of which were unearned. Freshman Kendra Knight relieved Dooley and pitched a scoreless ninth for her second save of the season.

Williams engineered the Terps' first run of the game when she tripled down the right field line and later scored on an error. Now with four career doubles, Williams ranks tied for fifth on Maryland's all-time list.

Facing a 3-1 deficit during the fifth inning, Maryland rallied for three runs on three hits. Lau and McLaughlin led off the inning with consecutive singles, and junior Nadine Blackie reached on an error one out later, allowing both baserunners to score. Shaw followed with her team-best ninth double of the season to plate Blackie with what proved to be the game-winning run.

Schultz turned in Maryland's play of the day defensively while playing catcher during the sixth inning of Saturday's first game. Boston College junior Amy Tunstall fouled a pitch off to the right, and Schultz reacted quickly, diving to make a shoestring catch in the dirt.

The Terrapins and Eagles conclude their three-game series at 1 p.m. Sunday in Taylor Stadium. The series finale will be streamed live over the Internet by ACC Select.

Game 1

Boston College 010 002 000 - 3  7  1
Maryland       002 000 101 - 4 10  1

LOB - Boston College 7; Maryland 8. 2B - Blair Destito; Alison Kooistra; Gemma Ypparila; Kathy McLaughlin. HR - Breanna Shaw. HBP - Brittany Walkins. SH - Alison Kooistra; Vangie Galindo; Michelle Takeda; Alex Schultz. SB - Blair Destito; CS - Vangie Galindo. W - Kerry Hickey (10-7). L - Allison Gage (6-10).

Game 2

Boston College 000 030 0 - 3  4  3
Maryland       010 030 X - 4  6  5

LOB - Boston College 7; Maryland 5. 2B - Dani Weir; Breanna Shaw. 3B - Devon Williams. HBP - Carolyn Jones. SH - Irene Delagrammatica; Carolyn Jones. W - Sarah Dooley (11-7). L - Taylor Peyton (8-11). S - Kendra Knight (2).